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Friday, July 22, 2016

DIY Log Planter

When we bought our current home, (as of this posting date) the previous owners were into that "earthy" style.
Trees,

Shrubs,

cacti,

and a bed of pineapples were just some of the
foliage they had planted throughout the yard both front and back.

So much so that it had become a jungle all to itself due to a lack of upkeep.

Having small children meant we were not willing to try and keep many of the thorny varieties of plants.

The pineapple and cacti had to go for sure. Also, in case you are not familiar, many citrus trees have thorns as well. So a lot of it had to go. There were 7 trees not including the shrubs, cacti and other low lying plants.

One of the trees was a rather large oak that was too close to the house and it's root system we feared was going to soon damage the concrete slab that was the foundation of the house, not to mention the havoc it was doing to the roof.

So I called a tree service and they sent someone to take a look and give me a quote. His first response was "whoa!"

Instead of charging me per tree he ended up charging me for the day. $1200 and he would clear out as much as he could.

The day of removal he came prepared. Breaking out the heavy machinery it took half the day to remove the oak and grind the stump. The other half was clearing everything else.

I asked if he could leave me a few pieces of the oak tree. Being a woodworker I was sure I could find a use. One piece became a mushroom log. A few others became a couple pieces of furniture.

Another wonderful project could be a do it Yyurself style,

DIY Log Planter

Jesse Ware who he and his wife Melanie make up the YouTube channel "Road to the Farm", decided to showcase a recent project involving a fallen log.

I recently had an opportunity to ask Jesse a few questions about the project and this is what he had to say:

What tools did you use to complete this project?

I used a chainsaw and a chainsaw disc on my right angle grinder.

What species of wood do you or have you used to build log planters?

The planters I have made are all pine. Any log would work, although hard wood would take a little more effort to hollow out.

Does the size of the log have a bearing on the difficulty?

A
larger log means there is more material to use and is heavier which can
be challenging to move the piece. But the weight of the larger log
makes it more stable which makes it safer to work on. I guess there are
pros and cons to both small and large logs.

What are some of the draw backs you have encountered using logs as planters?

The
first log I made with a drainage hole in the bottom and it is hard to
keep it watered enough for the plants to really do well. Log planters
are pretty heavy and not easily moved. Especially once they are filled
with dirt. Other than that, we have loved the log planters.

Having
built a few and being able to refine your technique for building log
planters, are their certain tools or techniques you recommend using over
others?

I used a splitting maul, which I don't really recommend. It was too powerful a tool and ended up splitting the log.

The chainsaw grinding wheel is highly recommend. It's a very effective, fun tool to work with.

Some of the tools looked kinda dangerous. What safety gear do you recommend?

Ear and eye protection. Chainsaw chaps and Kevlar gloves.

Do
you find it to be a difficult project to complete or just time
consuming? In other words, can someone with little experience using the
tools recommended build a project like this?

Chainsaws
should not be used without some basic training from an experienced
chainsaw operator. However, anyone that is comfortable with a chainsaw
could easily complete this project. The size of the log will determine
how much time it takes to hollow out.

-----------------------------

Final Thoughts

Jesse made the statement about drainage holes making it difficult to keep a small log planter watered well enough for the plants to do well.

Actually this is something that all small planters without some sort of watering system have in common. Even if you buy a planter at a store, smaller planters require more frequent watering simply because of less volume, nothing more.

Drainage holes should ALWAYS be included in a planters design.

Not doing so can cause more problems than simply needing to water and fertilize more frequently.

I recommend installing a drip irrigation styled system or a watering reservoir that doesn't require the planter to sit in the reservoir.

I've made several planters and posted the videos here on this website and they never fail to produce the question asking how fast does that planter dry out.

The answer is always the same despite the design. The smaller they are the faster they dry out.

Disclaimer:

Woodworking and general DIY projects can be a very satisfying endeavor. Working with wood, whether using power or hand tools or even woodworking supplies, it is up to you to learn and accept proven and proper techniques. I am not responsible for any damages of any kind that may result in your using any product or information mentioned within this blog. It is up to you to research any operating instructions for your tools and operate them safely, even if it means seeking qualified people in demonstrating their safe operation to you.

Keep in mind that whenever you are in your shop make sure safety is most important to your well being. Remember, enjoy your woodworking and general DIY projects but it’s up to you to use your tools safely.

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